Upstate Issues: Improving Access to Broadband in Rural Communities

Access to broadband in rural communities has been a tough hurdle to overcome. New York politicians have been talking about it for years, goals have been set, demands made on providers, and still some are still waiting. The pandemic put a new urgency on extending broadband service, highlighting broadband's role in connectivity to work, healthcare and education.
Dr. Rebecca Watts is a regional vice president for Western Governors University, one of many institutions bringing learning into our homes in the Capital Region. Rebecca has previously provided testimony to state legislative committees on higher education about the importance of expanding broadband access in rural communities. In this episode of Upstate Issues, Dr. Watts talks about why investing in rural broadband is more essential than ever and she gives suggestions on how new approaches could help more people get access.